Read the fabric care label, and follow the instructions.

In a world of pure fabrics, blends and synthetics, the issue of how to launder each garment can be a daunting task. Thankfully, just about every article of clothing has a cheat sheet built right into the garment.

How to Interpret Fabric Care Symbols

Fabric care symbols sort of look like hieroglyphics, but they’re actually very straightforward once you understand the system.

Each symbol is a combination of elements. This graphic explains how the system works:

The location of the care instructions varies, but it’s usually on the tag. If it’s not on the collar tag, check along the inside seams.

I’ve lost hundreds of dollars on clothes through negligent laundering. I’ve turned vibrant medium-sized sweaters into dull, faded XS compression shirts.

If you only take one thing away from this article, it should be this: follow the manufacturer’s instructions in caring for your clothes.

The Skinny on Dry Cleaning

I used to think dry cleaning was the end-all be-all of laundering clothes – and it kind of is – but there are times when dry cleaning is not the appropriate way to clean your clothes.

Dry cleaning is also the most expensive method for cleaning your clothes and often comes with the greatest amount of down-time for your favorite article of clothing.

The fear of spending hundreds of dollars a month on dry cleaning was one of the reasons I prolonged my switch to dressing nice.

I figured it was easier and cheaper to stick with the same old clothes that I could toss into the washing machine on any setting than it was to worry about taking my shirts and ties into the dry cleaner.

Had I taken the time and looked at the cleaning instructions on the clothes, I would have noticed that most clothes should be washed at home for a fraction of the cost.